need tips on distressing pleather belt, please ;)

[corellia]

hey guys,

I have no experience with weathering and distressing costume parts at all, but I see some of you seem really well versed at it, so I thought I'd just ask

I have a Corellian style gunbelt like Han Solo's, and I really love the way it looks in general, but I'd like to make it look a lot more worn and used. It's not genuine leather unfortunately. it's synth leather, or pleather. it's a dark brown which is a bit too dark for my taste, and it's also very stiff and has some wrinkles from being folded up in a box for a while. I want to make it more soft and maybe even a bit lighter.

Could any of you give me some tips on how to best achieve that? I'd be very grateful for any hints - thanks in advance!

Here's some pics of the belt by the way. This is the original version - I've altered it a bit to fit me better, but I haven't taken pics of that latter version yet.

[agent5]

I'd say that since it isn't real leather that you should stay away from chemicals for distressing and concentrate on sandpaper, but only a very fine grit and be careful in doing so. Start with some of the edges and do only the spots that you'd think would get scraped if it were really used in battle. Then when you're happy with that I'd take a knife or something similar and do some scrapes in various places.

Just be careful you don't go through the material since it's not real leather. Be gentle.

[pitfallharry]

After the sanding and adding the other little scrapes would you use any leather conditioner on it to make them kind of blend in or should you just leave it as is?

I've kind of wondered some of this stuff myself.....even though I've been letting my gear age naturally.

[Ragingblues]

I agree with Agent5. Since this is pleather, the top layer is going to be pretty thin and might sand through easily. Very fine sandpaper or even rubbing it with just a brown paper bag to burnish certain spots might work well. It looks like it marks up pretty well, based on a couple of tiny spots I can see in the large photo. So, it shouldn't take much pressure to get the job done. Less is more with this kind of stuff anyway... especially when dealing with thinner surface layer items.

I would also say that wadding it all up in a ball would even help add some character to it as well.

Ken

[Kaplan]

If you are going to scrape with a knife, use something pretty dull. You don't want to cut....just scrape.

[agent5]

Well, you can use a knife, just don't cut it. You just want to lightly scrape it or drag it across to give it some scratches. You can also use the top of a pen cap as well.

[Kt. Templar]

That's a nice looking belt. If it were possible to utilise all the hardware I'd be tempted to find some real leather, use the pleather as a template and remake the entire thing.

Alternatively, if you're going the sanding route a little dry brushing with a little dark and light tan acrylic paint on the edges and wear areas may work.

[corellia]

gee thanks so much for the tips guys I'll try that... I think we even have some sanding paper at home. I'll take the softest one I can find

I'm wondering though... the sanding will probably not remove the stiffness of the material... is there any way to generall soften up the pleather a bit so it will adapt better around my hip and thigh? I'd need that especially for the holster part.

[Ragingblues]

Wadding it all up a good bit should help soften it. It really just simulates long term wear, and helps break down the stiffness.

Ken

[winstonwolf359]

Actually, I'd say the sanding WILL soften it up a bit. You might get some weird looking wrinkles if you wad up too much.

[agent5]

I'd suggest wetting it on both sides and wearing it around for a bit, just like people are doing with the Todd's jacket. Just don't do anything to strenuous (sp?) in it because the wetness may cause it to tear. Wear it lightly when wet.

[Ragingblues]

winstonwolf359 said:

Actually, I'd say the sanding WILL soften it up a bit. You might get some weird looking wrinkles if you wad up too much.

You mean the kind a real life of adventure and actual use would give you?

Ken

[pitfallharry]

I would think with a SW holster you'd want to go more for the faded leather look and not really get into wrinkling it up tooo much. Yes, you want that worn in and relaxed look but I think it might be to easy to go to far.....especially with "pleather".

[Ragingblues]

My point is that with pleather... being more gentle is better. Balling it up certainly does no more than what wearing it over the course of the next year or so would do. Sanding it would be the risky approach, as the surface layer is thinner and has nothing attractive underneath to reveal.

Ken

[agent5]

Sanding it would be the risky approach

Which is exactly why I suggested a fine grit and taking it very easy.

[Ragingblues]

agent5 said:

Sanding it would be the risky approach

Which is exactly why I suggested a fine grit and taking it very easy.

I know... I said the very same thing right after you did in my first post. I was just making the point that wadding it up is certainly not as destructive as sanding would be.

Ken

[corellia]

again, thanks for the hints guys, you're great!
I gently rubbed the surface with soft sanding paper, and I'm very pleased with the results. it looks a little lighter now and a bit scraped which is great. I'll go for a second sanding run and darkening some edges later but I'm content for the moment.

here's a little before-and-after picture:

[winstonwolf359]

Looks good!

[pitfallharry]

corellia said:

again, thanks for the hints guys, you're great!
I gently rubbed the surface with soft sanding paper, and I'm very pleased with the results. it looks a little lighter now and a bit scraped which is great. I'll go for a second sanding run and darkening some edges later but I'm content for the moment.

here's a little before-and-after picture:

I know I said this over at RQ but I'll say it here again as well.. Very nice job on the distressing. I think the belt looks much more realistic now.

[corellia]

thanks winston and harry - glad you think it looks okay I can't wait to take some new pics wearing it...

[agent5]

I can't wait to take some new pics wearing it...

...and we can't wait to see them.

I think it looks great epsecially compared to the new condition it was in. The ONLY thing I would say that doesn't look completely right is that all the scratches are going in the same direction. When you go back in for the second sanding, try to do small, little circular motions, especially around the spots it would most likely get scathed if it was really used. The edges of the pouches, the front of the holster, the tops of the flaps as well as the areas over the buckles and the leather strap catchers, etc. The area of strap going across your butt would most likely be the most worn on the entire rig because you'd constantly be sitting on it.

On another note, I think the wrinkles look pretty natural. You'll get more natural ones the more you wear it.

Looks fantastic so far.

[Ragingblues]

Looking really good!

I think you will give a new hope (no pun intended) to people thinking of buying a pleather item like this, instead of shelling out more money for leather.

I think the darker areas are going to add even more realism to it too.

Congrats,

Ken

[corellia]

thanks!
agent5, I see what you mean about all the scratches going the same direction - I'll try to alter that with the second sanding

[Mr. Fusion]

Whoa! Corellia, that is fantastic work. I have the same belt for a Han Solo costume. I opted for the "ESB" version (the buckles are switched). I really need to do that myself.

I'm truly impressed.

Josh

[corellia]

thanks fusion!
I just saw your Empire pics in the gallery, you make an awesome Han Solo!

I really love this belt, though one the litle stud on the back side of the front buckle, the one holding the holster part in place, is broken off... and I have no idea how to fix it.